“So, if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. [First] go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” – Matthew 5:23-24, AMP

One of the things that I find extremely shocking is when servants of God engage in bitter fights, sometimes even on the pulpit.

It is a sad reality that many Christians do carry lots of grudges, deep resentment, ill-feelings and hatred in their hearts, sometimes over offences that happened years ago.

Some of us are not even shy to openly say; “I will never forgive so and so for what she did to me!”

It is probably a reflection of the contemporary world we are in – full of vengeance, fighting, hate, bigotry, xenophobia, prejudice, racial biases, etc.

The instructions of our Lord Jesus in today’s meditation have always scared me: “First go and be reconciled to the person you have a grudge against then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” 

Though we often think that offering our devotion, worship, service and offerings to God is what makes us acceptable to Him, He says, no; our heart must be right if we are to benefit from our sacrifices to God.

In Leviticus 19:17-18, the Scripture says; “You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”

The instruction, “you must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart” implies that the state of our heart must take priority in regard to our interaction with God.

1 John 4:20-21 says; “If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.”

The Greek word translated ‘liar’ is ‘pseudos’ – which was later borrowed by English.

What the apostle is saying is that a Christian who claims to love God but harbours hate in his heart against another is practicing ‘pseudo-Christianity’ – purporting to adhere to Christian beliefs or practices but not genuinely representing the core teachings or values of true Christianity.

Today, God challenges us to prove the genuineness of our relationship with Him by going our way to seek reconciliation with the brothers and sisters who offended us.

“By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.”

Whereas the natural tendency is for us to expect the offender to come to us and apologise, the challenge from our Lord is clear – be the one to go to the other person.

Cultivating loving and harmonious relationships in the body of Christ is absolutely critical as unity among believers is a powerful witness to the world.

When we live in harmony and show love for one another, it demonstrates the transformative power of the Gospel.

Our Lord Jesus said in John 13:35: “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.”

By reconciling with others, we reflect God’s love and character and demonstrate our love for Him.

Conversely, unresolved conflict within the family of God can damage our testimony and obscure the love of Christ.

So, the question is; What is God saying to you about that person who offended you and what are you going to do about it?